Cairo Bank Robbery Suspect Appears In Court

Twenty-nine-year-old James Watts’ arraignment Tuesday in Benton comes a week after the Cairo man was indicted on charges of attempted armed bank robbery resulting in death. The charges include special findings making the death penalty possible if he’s convicted. Prosecutors say they haven’t decided whether they will seek the death penalty.

Watts was arrested May 15, hours after Anita Jo Grace of Olive Branch and Nita Jo Smith of Wickliffe, Kentucky, were found stabbed at Cairo’s First National Bank. Both women died. A third worker survived.

Watts is accused of being a felon in possession of a firearm and is held without bond.